Code of Conduct (CoC)

Verify your compliance to the highest standards of business ethics with a Code of Conduct

As businesses expand their manufacturing and sourcing capabilities internationally, they should be aware that supply chain workplace conditions are under greater scrutiny in the countries they wish to enter. With customers increasingly aware of the need for ethical and safe workplace conditions in the worldwide supply chain, workplace conditions are now an important part of a brand’s value proposition. Because of this, it is important for companies to operate with the highest standards of business ethics by having a process for managing risks related to supply chain social compliance. The lack of such a process can lead to tarnished brand reputations and poor financial results.

A Code of Conduct (CoC) is a set of regulations governing corporate and business practices according to acceptable standards. By implementing a CoC, a company or organisation is committed to operate its business with the highest standards of business ethics, which exceed the local law requirement. Each brand and importer can develop their own CoC standard to which vendors are expected to comply. These standards are usually customised to meet international retailers’ requirements in Europe and the United States based on International Labor Organization (ILO) requirements.

A typical CoC covers elements such as child labour, forced labour, discrimination, disciplinary practices, harassment and abuse, freedom of association, working hours and overtime, remuneration and benefits, health and safety, and the environment. Companies are required to perform regular audits on vendors to ensure compliance with the requirements of the CoC throughout the supply chain. The audit process should be conducted by competent persons who are able to speak the local language, understand local cultural issues and are up to date on local legislation.

Companies and organisations that implement an audited CoC are able to ensure and demonstrate their commitment towards socially and environmentally ethical standards throughout the whole supply chain. Implementing a CoC is the first step to devising a future course of action and demonstrates the company’s commitment to ethical practices.

How can we help you?

As a third-party auditing body, our experts ensure the audit is tailor-made to match the CoC of each and every client throughout the worldwide supply chain.

Our CoC services

TÜV SÜD can carry out a social compliance audit on your supply chain. We can also conduct an audit on a supply chain management system that is already in place.

TÜV SÜD’s global network provides multidisciplinary expertise for a wide range of auditing and certification services in key markets. We act as a one-stop service provider for companies requiring social compliance programmes and management systems standards, integrating your existing systems such as BSCI and SA8000® with other management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

As part of our commitment to unparalleled service quality, our inspectors and auditors are required to adhere to our strict CoC. This ensures the expert opinions they provide are professional, independent and impartial.

What is a Code of Conduct?

A Code of Conduct (CoC) is a set of regulations governing corporate and business practices according to acceptable standards. By implementing a CoC, a company or organisation is committed to operate its business with the highest standards of business ethics, which exceed the local law requirement. Each brand and importer can develop their own CoC standard to which vendors are expected to comply. These standards are usually customised to meet international retailers’ requirements in Europe and the United States based on International Labor Organization (ILO) requirements.

A typical CoC covers elements such as child labour, forced labour, discrimination, disciplinary practices, harassment and abuse, freedom of association, working hours and overtime, remuneration and benefits, health and safety, and the environment. Companies are required to perform regular audits on vendors to ensure compliance with the requirements of the CoC throughout the supply chain. The audit process should be conducted by competent persons who are able to speak the local language, understand local cultural issues and are up to date on local legislation.

Why is a CoC important?

Companies and organisations that implement an audited CoC are able to ensure and demonstrate their commitment towards socially and environmentally ethical standards throughout the whole supply chain. Implementing a CoC is the first step to devising a future course of action and demonstrates the company’s commitment to ethical practices.

How can we help you?

How can we help you?

As a third-party auditing body, our experts ensure the audit is tailor-made to match the CoC of each and every client throughout the worldwide supply chain.

Our CoC services

TÜV SÜD can carry out a social compliance audit on your supply chain. We can also conduct an audit on a supply chain management system that is already in place.

TÜV SÜD’s global network provides multidisciplinary expertise for a wide range of auditing and certification services in key markets. We act as a one-stop service provider for companies requiring social compliance programmes and management systems standards, integrating your existing systems such as BSCI and SA8000® with other management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

As part of our commitment to unparalleled service quality, our inspectors and auditors are required to adhere to our strict CoC. This ensures the expert opinions they provide are professional, independent and impartial.

Your benefits at a glance

Save money– with auditing to avoid the penalties of non-compliance and the costs of rework, while improving the efficiency of your supply chain management system.

Save time – in your supply chain work processes through improved communications between management and employees.